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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "million pounds" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
  
  1. They don't notify winners by email.
  2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
  3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
  4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
  5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
  6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
  7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +447031891239 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: MATHEW PETER <mathew.pater_win@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 03:52:47 -0400
Subject: CONTACT COURIER FIRM



ATT: WINNER, (Clement E Eyan)I received your email and have forwarded your winning check of 6.6,MILLION POUNDS to the courier firm that will handle the delivery. It will be delivered to you on the appropriate date choosed by you (status of delivery) after you have taken care of the required cost. This is due to the insurance and other measure taken to secure your prize. Do make sure you call the courier firm to confirm the receipt of your prize delivery.You will be given three different delivery status to choose one, you have the right to choose one delivery status, and this is mostly done to meet what your pocket can pay for. They are reliable and fast in delivery of parcel.Be careful of scam artist they are every where you should make sure you keep your winning numbers and this whole winnings as a secrete as the prize money is no longer with us it has been forwarded to the courier firm. Some people might just go to the courier firm with all your details claiming they are the actual winner to claim your prize. So be careful of everybody around you. We have seen many situations of double claim and most times it is either one of their family member or a friends. They most times tell you to forget about it. So be careful, I wish you the best in life with your prize (money).You are to contact the courier firm at once with your full name, address and a valid phone number and all the requirements of sending your cheque to you. You should also send to the courier firm all your winning details like, TICKET NUMBER,SERIAL NUMBER,BATCH NUMBER,amount won, and the name of lottery won.Below are the courier contact details:INTERPARCEL SERVICES UK. Email; interparcelservicesuk@yahoo.co.ukSmallmead HouseHorley Surrey RH6 9AXDirector: Mr. Quantus ParkPhone: +44 703 1891 239Details of the required cost will be communicated to you by the courier firm once you contact them, Do contact them via the email address above. You are to keep me fully informed on all developments.

_________________________________________________________________
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam